PRT’s EVER EVOLVING GRANT PROGRAM Shaping and sharing a better South Carolina – South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism

TOURISMPARTNERSHIPFUND(TPF)

TPF PROGRAM GOALS TO:  Generate a return on the State’s investment;  Carryout the tourism marketing and economic development mission of SCPRT; and  Support our tourism industry partners with an emphasis on rural marketing.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS  Federal Non-Profit (501)  Federal Identification Number (FEIN)  Specifically charged with promoting economic development to a defined geographic area of the State

INELIGIBLE APPLICANTS Organizations receiving a Line-Item Appropriation; Organizations receiving a Line-Item Appropriation; Organizations receiving appropriations from other State agencies intended for marketing and promotions; Organizations receiving appropriations from other State agencies intended for marketing and promotions; State agencies, foundations of state agencies, state supported institutions and foundations of state supported institutions. State agencies, foundations of state agencies, state supported institutions and foundations of state supported institutions.

TPF PROGRAM STRUCTURE ESTABLISHED MARKET Attraction Market Festival/Event Market

RURAL- DEVELOPING MARKET Attraction Market Festival/Event Marketing

ORGANIZATIONS MAY ONLY SUBMIT ONE TPF GRANT APPLICATION

ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS FOR ALL TPF GRANTS DMOs, Chambers, CVBs, Tourism Commissions, Associations, Towns/Cities Counties, Development Boards, Museums/Zoos/Aquariums, Historical Sites, Other Attractions, Festivals or Events DMOs, Chambers, CVBs, Tourism Commissions, Associations, Towns/Cities Counties, Development Boards, Museums/Zoos/Aquariums, Historical Sites, Other Attractions, Festivals or Events

FUNDABLE COMPONENTS FOR ALL TPF GRANTS Interactive Marketing; Web Development/Enhancement; Broadcast Media; Web-based Media; Advertising; PR: Media marketplace, Press kits; Sales: Tradeshows, Meetings & conventions, Group Tour; Billboards; and Other (Provide Detailed Explanation) Interactive Marketing; Web Development/Enhancement; Broadcast Media; Web-based Media; Advertising; PR: Media marketplace, Press kits; Sales: Tradeshows, Meetings & conventions, Group Tour; Billboards; and Other (Provide Detailed Explanation)

ESTABLISHED MARKET (Attraction & F/E)  Organization’s physical location should be in an unincorporated part of a county or a municipality that collects a minimum of $900,000 in State Accommodations Tax annually.  Counties & Municipalities in this category: Horry County unincorporated area; Georgetown County unincorporated area; City of Myrtle Beach; Hilton Head Island; Charleston; North Myrtle Beach; North Charleston; Columbia; Kiawah Island; Isle of Palms; Greenville.

Unincorporated Areas DEFINITION: DEFINITION: An Unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality. A region of land in the County that is not within the boundaries of any city and not governed by a local municipality.

ESTABLISHED MARKET MAXIMUM GRANT AWARD $200,000 Match: 2-to-1 (State dollars cannot be used as match!) Out-of-State Marketing Only

ESTABLISHED MARKET ATTRACTION GRANT Organization that markets one or more South Carolina Attraction and collects an admission fee.  Same criteria as Established Market:  Organization’s physical location should be in an unincorporated part of a county or a municipality that collects a minimum of $900,000 in State Accommodations Tax annually.  Counties & Municipalities in this category: Horry County unincorporated area; Georgetown County unincorporated area; City of Myrtle Beach; Hilton Head Island; Charleston; North Myrtle Beach; North Charleston; Columbia; Kiawah Island; Isle of Palms; Greenville.

ATTRACTION GRANT MAXIMUM GRANT AWARD: $30,000 Match: 2-to-1 (State dollars cannot be used as your match!) OUT-OF-STATE and/or IN- STATE MARKETING (In-State advertising at least 50 miles outside organization’s county/region)

FESTIVAL OR EVENT MAXIMUM GRANT AWARD: $5,000 Match: 2-to-1 (State dollars cannot be used as match!) OUT-OF-STATE and/or IN- STATE MARKETING (In-State advertising at least 50 miles outside organization’s county/region)

RURAL-DEVELOPING MARKET Entities whose physical location is in an unincorporated part of a county or in a municipality that collects less than $900,000 in State Accommodations Tax annually. Entities whose physical location is in an unincorporated part of a county or in a municipality that collects less than $900,000 in State Accommodations Tax annually. These non-profit entities primary responsibility is to promote economic development to a defined geographic area through tourism marketing. These non-profit entities primary responsibility is to promote economic development to a defined geographic area through tourism marketing.

RURAL DEVELOPING MARKET MAXIMUM GRANT AWARD: $200,000 Match: 1-to-1 (State dollars cannot be used as match!) OUT-OF-STATE and/or IN- STATE MARKETING (In-State advertising at least 50 miles outside organization’s county/region)

RURAL-DEVELOPING MARKET ATTRACTION GRANT Organization that markets one or more South Carolina Attraction and charge an admission fee. Same criteria as Rural-Developing Market: Entities whose physical location is in an unincorporated part of a county or in a municipality that collects less than $900,000 in State Accommodations Tax annually. Entities whose physical location is in an unincorporated part of a county or in a municipality that collects less than $900,000 in State Accommodations Tax annually.

ATTRACTION GRANT MAXIMUM GRANT AWARD: $30,000 Match: 1-to-1 (State dollars cannot be used as your match!) OUT-OF-STATE and/or IN- STATE MARKETING (In-State advertising at least 50 miles outside organization’s county/region)

RURAL-DEVELOPING MARKET FESTIVAL/EVENT GRANT Organization that promote a Festival or Event that generates economic development to a defined geographic area thru tourism marketing. Organization that promote a Festival or Event that generates economic development to a defined geographic area thru tourism marketing. Same criteria as Rural-Developing Market: Entities whose physical location is in an unincorporated part of a county or in a municipality that collects less than $900,000 in State Accommodations Tax annually. Entities whose physical location is in an unincorporated part of a county or in a municipality that collects less than $900,000 in State Accommodations Tax annually.

FESTIVAL OR EVENT MAXIMUM GRANT AWARD: $5,000 Match: 1-to-1 (State dollars cannot be used as match!) OUT-OF-STATE and/or IN- STATE MARKETING (In-State advertising at least 50 miles outside organization’s county/region)

TPF APPLICATION PROCEDURE Application should be typed on white paper (8 ½ X 11), using 12 point font and not to exceed 15 pages. Application should be typed on white paper (8 ½ X 11), using 12 point font and not to exceed 15 pages. Original application and all 5 copies must include a cover sheet with the information listed below. Original application and all 5 copies must include a cover sheet with the information listed below. TPF Grant Category: (Rural-Developing Market Festival/Event ) TPF Grant Category: (Rural-Developing Market Festival/Event ) Organization Name Organization Name Name of Project Director Name of Project Director Mailing Address Mailing Address Telephone Number and FAX Number Telephone Number and FAX Number Address and Internet Address Address and Internet Address County County Project Name Project Name If Festival or Event – Give Date If Festival or Event – Give Date List each Fundable Component with Corresponding Budget Figure (EXAMPLE: Print Media - $2,500; Broadcast Media - $2,500, etc.) List each Fundable Component with Corresponding Budget Figure (EXAMPLE: Print Media - $2,500; Broadcast Media - $2,500, etc.) Requested TPF Grant Amount Requested TPF Grant Amount Attach to cover sheet: Attach to cover sheet: 501-C Federal (IRS) Exemption Letter 501-C Federal (IRS) Exemption Letter Federal Identification Number (FEIN) Letter (If your Federal ID Number is not located on your 501-C Exemption Letter) Federal Identification Number (FEIN) Letter (If your Federal ID Number is not located on your 501-C Exemption Letter) (Project Director’s Signature) (Project Director’s Signature) Completed Application Completed Application

APPLICATION 1. Briefly describe the mission of your organization. (Describe your Attraction/Festival/Event) 1. Briefly describe the mission of your organization. (Describe your Attraction/Festival/Event) 2. List specific quantifiable goals that you will accomplish through use of the requested TPF grant (for example: grow visitation by x percent; grow tourism tax revenue collections by x percent). 2. List specific quantifiable goals that you will accomplish through use of the requested TPF grant (for example: grow visitation by x percent; grow tourism tax revenue collections by x percent). 3. Describe your marketing plan by answering the following questions: 3. Describe your marketing plan by answering the following questions: a) Identify your target audience for FY , including relevant demographic, geographic, psychographic attributes and timing of efforts. Explain why you are targeting this/these audience. Please provide sources for your justification. a) Identify your target audience for FY , including relevant demographic, geographic, psychographic attributes and timing of efforts. Explain why you are targeting this/these audience. Please provide sources for your justification. b) What specific marketing strategies and tactics (such as print, TV, digital advertising, public relations, website, etc.) will you use to influence your target audience to achieve your stated goals? In answering this question, please list all strategies and tactics, and underline efforts that you will fund with TPF assistance. b) What specific marketing strategies and tactics (such as print, TV, digital advertising, public relations, website, etc.) will you use to influence your target audience to achieve your stated goals? In answering this question, please list all strategies and tactics, and underline efforts that you will fund with TPF assistance. 4. Performance Measures 4. Performance Measures Identify the performance measures you use to determine the success of your marketing efforts. (For example: attendance/ticket sales; number of brochures distributed; number of inquiries; accommodations bookings; web statistics; magazine tracking numbers; survey results; and any other measures.) Identify the performance measures you use to determine the success of your marketing efforts. (For example: attendance/ticket sales; number of brochures distributed; number of inquiries; accommodations bookings; web statistics; magazine tracking numbers; survey results; and any other measures.) What was your economic impact on the community/state last year? If you meet your stated goal(s), what will your economic impact be this year? (For example: accommodations tax, admissions tax, and sales tax you generated and/or any other relevant measures. Show all calculations.) What was your economic impact on the community/state last year? If you meet your stated goal(s), what will your economic impact be this year? (For example: accommodations tax, admissions tax, and sales tax you generated and/or any other relevant measures. Show all calculations.)

POINT SYSTEM Total Weight Factor = 100 Total Weight Factor = Marketing goals clearly identified and attainable? (20 Points) 1. Marketing goals clearly identified and attainable? (20 Points) 2. Target Audience clearly identified with justifiable sources? (20 Points) 2. Target Audience clearly identified with justifiable sources? (20 Points) 3. Marketing strategies/tactics clearly explained and tied to goals in Question 2? (20 Points) 3. Marketing strategies/tactics clearly explained and tied to goals in Question 2? (20 Points) 4. Performance measures clearly identified? (10 Points) 4. Performance measures clearly identified? (10 Points) 5. Calculation shown for economic impact explicitly tied to marketing efforts for this funding year? (20 Points) 5. Calculation shown for economic impact explicitly tied to marketing efforts for this funding year? (20 Points) 6. Application clear, concise and comprehensive? (5 Points) 6. Application clear, concise and comprehensive? (5 Points) 7. Required documentation provided? (5 Points) 7. Required documentation provided? (5 Points) Funding will be awarded based on scoring. Funds will be distributed in descending order from the highest scoring application to the lowest scoring application -- until all TPF funds are appropriated.

TPF APPLICATION Original and 5 copies (Total: 6)

APPLICATION DEADLINE Close of Business: April 15, 2010 Close of Business: April 15, 2010 Cannot FAX or Cannot FAX or Original and 5 Copies Original and 5 Copies Address: Address: SC Parks, Recreation & Tourism Tourism Partnership Fund 1205 Pendleton Street – Suite 243 Columbia, SC 29201

CORE STIPULATIONS The primary focus of all TPF projects must be tourism promotion to sustain tourism related revenue. The primary focus of all TPF projects must be tourism promotion to sustain tourism related revenue. SCPRT reserves the right to adjust funding parameters in accordance with the number of proposals received and available grant funds. SCPRT reserves the right to adjust funding parameters in accordance with the number of proposals received and available grant funds. SCPRT reserves the right to allocate the TPF budget at its discretion between the Established Market Category and the Rural-Developing Market Category. SCPRT reserves the right to allocate the TPF budget at its discretion between the Established Market Category and the Rural-Developing Market Category. TPF grants may only be used to market festivals, events and attractions that occur at venues that are accessible by the general public on an on-going basis. TPF grants may only be used to market festivals, events and attractions that occur at venues that are accessible by the general public on an on-going basis.

(Core Stipulations Cont’d)  SCPRT reserves the right to determine the acceptability and value of all written, graphic and visual material as to its content and appropriateness for the general public and for the state’s effort to promote tourism. Approved applicants may use their TPF grant funds to participate in co-op partnership programs offered by SCPRT. Approved applicants may use their TPF grant funds to participate in co-op partnership programs offered by SCPRT. TPF funds may be used to advertise in any SCPRT-sponsored communication channel. TPF funds may be used to advertise in any SCPRT-sponsored communication channel. TPF funds may NOT be used for ad placement in any TPF organization’s collateral material that will receive reimbursement for printing. TPF funds may NOT be used for ad placement in any TPF organization’s collateral material that will receive reimbursement for printing. Organizations that utilize advertising agencies must provide a copy of media invoice and printer invoice. Organizations are reimbursed based on net rates only. Organizations that utilize advertising agencies must provide a copy of media invoice and printer invoice. Organizations are reimbursed based on net rates only.

(Core Stipulations Cont’d) Production and commission costs are not eligible for reimbursement. Organizations will be reimbursed based on net rates only. Production and commission costs are not eligible for reimbursement. Organizations will be reimbursed based on net rates only. Organizations receiving a TPF grant must have a reciprocal link on their web site to SCPRT’s web site. Consumer must be able to reach SCPRT’s web site ( in one click. Organizations receiving a TPF grant must have a reciprocal link on their web site to SCPRT’s web site. Consumer must be able to reach SCPRT’s web site ( in one click. Collateral material funded thru TPF should provide American with Disabilities Accessibility (ADA) information on all properties and attractions listed therein. Collateral material funded thru TPF should provide American with Disabilities Accessibility (ADA) information on all properties and attractions listed therein. Collateral materials must follow the state’s bidding process, with the contract for printing awarded to the lowest bidder. Collateral materials must follow the state’s bidding process, with the contract for printing awarded to the lowest bidder. If funded TPF projects solicit ads from SCPRT offices, they must offer a 50% reduction off the lowest card rate. If funded TPF projects solicit ads from SCPRT offices, they must offer a 50% reduction off the lowest card rate. TPF funds may be used to advertise in any SCPRT-sponsored communication channel. TPF funds may be used to advertise in any SCPRT-sponsored communication channel.

GRANT ADMINISTRATION TPF Guidelines in Program Overview ( TPF Guidelines in Program Overview ( Obtain PRT approval prior to placement or production of any work Obtain PRT approval prior to placement or production of any work Include South Carolina Logo Include South Carolina Logo TPF forms online TPF forms online

REIMBURSEMENT INFOMATION Complete Reimbursement form Complete Reimbursement form Attach copies of invoices, cancelled checks and support documentation Attach copies of invoices, cancelled checks and support documentation Submit to PRT by May 30, 2011 Submit to PRT by May 30, 2011

TPF CONTACT INFO: Dottie Fisher (803)

REMINDER: TPF APPLICATION DUE APRIL 15, 2010

When you promote your area/attraction/festival/event and visitors come, make sure their visit is a defining moment that leaves them with a clear memory of a unique experience that connects with them emotionally.

And Guess What Will Happen ?

They’ll come again!

“SOUTH CAROLINA” MADE FOR VACATION